Chachani, Nevado (Peru)

The andesitic-dacitic Nevado de Chachani volcanic complex, located immediately north of Arequipa, consists of a 320 km2 group of Pleistocene lava domes, a stratovolcano complex, and a flank shield volcano. The central Nevado Chachani complex contains multiple vents along an arcuate line, including a well-defined summit crater at the western end. Two early Pleistocene ignimbrites were erupted from now-buried vents of older edifices. Thin lava flows from Chachani volcano overlie glacial moraines. Pleistocene lava domes form the northern end of the complex. The 8-km-wide, late Pleistocene to possibly Holocene lava shield of Pampa de Palacio on the SW side produced a well-preserved lava flow field that represents the youngest products of the complex.

The Nevado de Chachani volcanic complex, seen here from the SW near the village of Yura, consists of a 360 sq km group of Pleistocene lava domes, a stratovolcano, and a shield volcano. The central, 6057-m-high Nevado Chachani complex contains multiple vents along an arcuate line, including a well-defined summit crater at the western end. Cerro La Horqueta (left horizon) may represent the latest activity from Nevado Chachani, after which activity migrated to the 8-km-wide Holocene lava shield of Pampa de Palacio on the south side.